‘King of Style’ is not for us, Michael Jackson fans!

If you follow John Branca on TikTok because he talks about Michael Jackson more than the Michael Jackson account, you might have noticed a recent comment about a new project the Estate are spearheading, called “King Of Style”.

The concept focuses on Michael Jackson as a fashion Icon and how he brought fashion to his fans and the public, influencing current fashion designers and other artists.

The project has been given its own logo and brand and includes content on social media alongside events. Two events have already taken place – one in Miami and one in New York, consisting of a roundtable talk with designers and Fashion models discussing how Michael Jackson influenced the fashion world, followed by a big flashy party to conclude.

As nobody currently working for the Estate was responsible for Michael’s style or comes from the fashion work, they’ve partnered with Michael Bush, who released a book in 2012 of the same title “King of Style” with foreword by John Branca and also held an auction that same year of Michael’s costumes which earned around $5 million and created a level of controversary over signatures on the items.

John Branca confirmed on his TikTok that he is in talks with Bush to do a new “King of Style” book, something Bush has been expressing interest in doing since his first book was released.

“We thought it was time to highlight and remind people what a big fashion influencer Michael Jackson was and is. You can see it in Michael Bush’s book “King of Style” which unfortunately is out of print and impossible to obtain. So we’re talking to Michael Bush about doing a new “King of Style” book.”

“Out of print and impossible to obtain”??? Sorry John, this is simply not true – King of Style is currently and has been available at MJ One Boutique in Las Vegas for the last decade. It’s also been the piece de resistance of the Estate’s official Birthday event for the last nine years, where Michael Bush has been on hand to sign copies, with this year being no exception.

But, back to the essence of the ‘King of Style’ project – Surely, a new brand concept and two leading events should have garnered the attention of Michael’s fans sooner? The official Michael Jackson social media platforms are used to consistently promote MJ the Musical cast changes, MJ One Ticket options and Branca’s personal stories and updates – Yet, nothing significant about this.

Perhaps the reason is – It’s not for us.

Firstly, let’s state the obvious – Everybody knows Michael Jackson is a fashion icon. It doesn’t need highlighting and people don’t need reminding. Every year you can look at any catwalk for the season and see Michael Jackson’s unique influence. Watching the red carpets of the Met Gala and Cannes Film Festival, you’ll see Michael’s influence. It’s not something that’s ever been lost on people. After all, Michael’s made bold choices – A single glove, a sequin jacket, a military enhanced uniform, all of which became synonymous with him. How often do you hear somebody say “a Michael Jackson hat” when referring to a fedora? Or throwing out a “hehe” when they take off just one of their winter gloves?

So, people don’t need ‘reminding’.

But if the Estate are looking to affirm his status, great. But it runs the risk of having the opposite effect. The fashion industry still has many king makers and gate keepers who decide what is fashion and what isn’t. What’s great about Michael’s iconic looks is he never tried to follow a trend. He never tried to be a fashion icon, he just was, and the fashion industry took note and wanted a piece of it.

This new venture tells you he’s a fashion icon. It’s not organic and it’s not influential. Instead, it has the makings of a forceful brand that’s going to make what Michael did effortlessly, a ‘thing’ the Estate own and oversee.

While this may be appealing to some Instagram influencers that most of us have never heard of or been influenced by, it’s hard to see the fashion industry reacting well to be ‘told’ what is considered fashion, instead of deciding for themselves.

Plus, isn’t it a little forced? Surely, it’s not the job of an Estate to insist to the world their client IS a fashion icon. If this was truly the desire of the Estate, they could have quietly financed it, but distanced themselves from it to portray the idea that fashion-inspired influencers have produced an event to celebrate Michael as a fashion icon with the Estate’s blessing.

But then John couldn’t be front and centre at the events or promote it on his tiktok, because the gig would be up.

You might be reading this thinking, shut up MJVibe, at least the Estate are celebrating Michael for what he created.

So here’s an alternative.

Imagine instead of a closed-door fashion forum attended by influencers, the Estate sought to be allowed to launch a charity in Michael’s name.

The Charity could have a gala (akin to the Met) where people would walk the red carpet showcasing…you guessed it, Michael’s influence on fashion – effortlessly and unforced.

In addition, they could host forums talking about Michael’s charitable work, locate and host those he personally helped and continue to build on what Michael spent a lifetime creating.

Michael spent decades donating over $300 million to charities around the worlds, helping children, helping animals, helping families and he spoke about the need to do more constantly – both through his music and in interviews. He placed a great burden upon himself to be that help and be that voice, asking ‘What More Can I Give!’. In some of his final days, he’d expressed a desire to open a children’s hospital. It’s what mattered most to him – at least more so than being a ‘fashion icon’.

As yet the intentions of these events are unclear to us lowly fans. Will it trickle down? If ‘Fashion’ is now one of the Estate’s leading verticals – Why is their own product ranges on Michaeljackson.com so bad? Surely, if we’re now going to assert Michael Jackson is a fashion icon by brand and event, then shouldn’t that translate down to the products the Estate put out? Or is it again, not for us?!

“Michael is a fashion icon – Here’s the Blood On The Dance Floor album cover, badly transferred on a threaded, poor quality BLUE(!!) t-shirt for $45!”

Hmmm, ok!

It does however give an indication to the direction the estate is taking with the “Michael Jackson” brand, with a recent influx of high-end merchandise deals like the Hugo Boss suit, the PureArts statue and more recently the BARRIERS‘ collection and the Blitzway‘s Dangerous Statue – most of which are financially out of reach for Michael’s millions of fans.

The worry is not that the fans cannot attend those events but that, once again Michael Jackson is becoming a background support act in his own career as others push themselves and their version of Michael Jackson to the forefront. From the photos and videos of these KOS events, the selected influencers in attendance get to have a great time at a free party, all expenses courtesy of Michael Jackson and to be seen on social media.

How does Michael gain from this? Do people really think more of Michael because a group of influencers attend a round table and a cocktail soiree? Do the fans feel more connected to their idol because his estate executor is blocking a pull up banner in Miami? Come on John, get out of the way and let Michael shine in an event that’s meant to be about him.

And if the perception if different to the reality, then the ‘influencers’ chosen are not doing the best job of conveying that after their pina coladas. In truth, it’s unclear what they’re actually conveying – It’s not as though they’re sporting a new range of official Michael Jackson branded fashion that’ll be available to us soon. Although even if they were, the Estate would probably stick a premium price tag on it and price most fans out of the market once again.

To be clear, this is not sour grapes. No one is pissy that they’ve not been invited to sip Mai Thai’s and be ‘reminded’ about Michael’s contribution to the fashion world. It’s about asking why so much of what comes out has to put Michael as the feature artist instead of the lead role in his own creation. We want more of him, not representations of him through the voice and visuals of others.

Let’s remind ourselves – and the Estate – that the real talent is Michael! His music, his dance, his creations, his short films, his style. It’s why we are here, it’s why you’re here and it’s why you see kids on tiktok emulate the work MICHAEL created and will become the fans of tomorrow – because of him.

If you are curious and want to check “King Of Style”, CLICK HERE